COVID19: You Can Apply for Business Rate Grants for Community Buildings!

Northfield Hall successfully secures a £25,000 grant!

We know that for many of you have lost major sources of income because your premises and community buildings are currently closed and that this is a big issue, and we have been looking into this and lobbying on your behalf. In the meantime, one of our members - Andi Briggs from Ashbrow Partnering Together, has had success with his application for Northfield Hall, which is a large multi-purpose community building in Sheepridge, Huddersfield.

Andi had looked into the details of the government's Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund guidance and believes that all community, voluntary and charitable organisations who:

had a rates bill before 11th March 2020 (even if they get Charitable Rate Relief and don't actually pay anything.)

have a rateable value of less than £51,000

received either Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR)

or who would have received the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure)

are eligible for business rate relief and a grant of either £10,000 or £25,000. The guidance also mentions clubs and club houses and charity shops. (The only exception may be church buildings, depending on whether they have a rateable value and receive a rates bill.)

Andi has managed to secure a Business Rate Grant of £25,000 for the centre, which is registered for business rates and receives a bill, but doesn't pay anything because it also receives 100% Charitable Rate Relief. On his application, Andi stressed the 'assembly and leisure' and 'public halls' criteria.

In addition, the Government has recently announced further discretionary funding so that local authorities can:

'prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.

'Businesses must be small, under 50 employees, and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.'

We would encourage all local third sector organisations to apply for this support.